IFC Final Preview

Clans 1-7 Kilkerley 10
Draw match, replay next Saturday
6pm same venue
Really exciting day in the Louth club calendar and it’s looks to me to be the best two sides in intermediate have made the showcase event.

The ethos of both sides is more on attacking merit rather than mass blanket defences that we’ve seen take over the club game recently. That, in itself is quite refreshing and really adds to the prospect of an open game of football.

The Match up also looks to be an entertaining one too; townies versus cluchies, one team looking to go straight back up against the nearly men of the last few years, two sides desperate to win, the pressure is on and the tension will be high!

Loads of questions posed today:
Do Kilkerley go straight back up after one season?
Can the Clans finally do it?
Who is going to stop the Kilkerley trio up front?
Do Kilkerley defence have a plan up to the Conall McKeever task?

Both teams came out of the same group and on the first day they played each other in a high scoring draw. So that tells me both sides will have no fear of each other, they know what to expect of each other and will have worked on how to get the win today.
Kilkerley however, will have little or no experience of a big county final day, the Clans will know what to expect and should handle that side of the day alot better.

Days like today bring out the unlikely hero and like last years decider dead balls will be crucial, look out for Ultan McEneaney, Tadhg’s brother taking the 50’s he can pop them over with ease and for the Clans, with all the focus on Conall. Mark Newell and Paul Martin have the talent to potentially be match winners today.

So my answer on who will win the Seamus Flood?

I think the number of replays will stand to the Dundalk men quarter final against the Brides and semi versus Hunterstown. In similar fashion to Dublin’s replay with Mayo gave them the edge when it came to the all-Ireland Final.
They will have learned more about themselves, and are more battle hardened and drilled as a team as a result. Kilkerley on the other hand have had a longer wait and more time to think and that is never good before a final.
Clans by 2.

All in all should be a cracker in Haggardstown, Best of luck to both teams.